The introduction of the router into the home was a major security advancement for many homeowners. Before routers, most PC users relied solely on a software firewall or didn't have a firewall running at all. Routers with a built-in firewall are generally a great thing.
A security feature can also lead to a false sense of security, however, and leave users vulnerable when attacks that were once thought impossible occur. Routers are no different. They can be difficult to configure and often require updates to patch exploits discovered after release. So what can we do to stay safe?
All modern WiFi routers offer a variety of encryption options that are used to make traffic unintelligible to anyone trying to intercept the data. At a basic level, all forms of encryption work, but some work better than others, and routers are unfortunately not forthcoming when it comes to providing advice. Many routers put the older and less secure option, WEP, at the top of a list – so that users can choose it.
